Surry’s Lambert named National Pitcher of the Week

Matthew Lambert

Dobson, NC – March 30, 2017

It’s been an incredible week for Surry Community College sophomore Matthew Lambert.

Four days after hurling a no-hitter in a 10-0 Region X win over Danville Community College on Saturday, the North Stanly High School alum was honored as the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division III Pitcher of the Week on Wednesday. Lambert struck out six and walked just two in the six-inning no-hitter. Danville won Region X last year and went on to compete in the NJCAA College World Series. The two walks were the only base runners Lambert allowed in the no-hitter, and he did not allow either of those runners to reach second base.

“It’s a big honor and he’s deserving of it,” Surry head coach Tim Collins said. “There are about 95 Division III junior college teams, so for him to get it out of all of those teams is a pretty big honor. Danville was a World Series qualifier last year so they have a good program and a good reputation and history of baseball. They can hit the ball, but Matthew did a good job of keeping people off-stride. I don’t even remember a hard-hit ball.”

Lambert said he was just going through his regular day Wednesday when one of his buddies was scrolling through Twitter.

“He said, ‘You got National Pitcher of the Week,’ and I thought that was pretty cool. It’s a big honor,” Lambert said. “To not only throw a no-hitter, the first of my life, but to be honored as national pitcher of the week is a great honor.”

Lambert said he threw a one-hitter during his junior year at North Stanly, the closest he’d ever come to hurling a no-no. He said he was aware he had a no-hitter working early on Saturday, but of course, didn’t say anything as talking about a no-hitter is strictly taboo in baseball.

“I struck the first three guys out and I thought this might be a pretty good game. The offense came in the first inning and scored three and I thought, ‘All I have to do now is play my game, just not try to be overpowering, just pitch and let the defense make plays,’” Lambert said. “We got a bigger lead and I just kept pitching and do what I always do.”

With the weekend sweep of Danville and a two-game sweep Tuesday of Ferrum’s JV team, Surry is now 13-15-1 overall and 3-0 in Region X action. Lambert has been a big part of the Knights’ hot play of late, and Collins said the sophomore definitely has college baseball in his future after Surry.

“He hadn’t made a decision about where he is going to play once he leaves Surry but he has options. He will definitely pitch beyond Surry,” Collins said. “Matthew is one of our team captains. He is a high-character, quality individual. He comes from a good support system, mom and dad always come watch him pitch and they are good people. He is a young man I would recommend to any four-year school interested in him.”